Curve Announces THE SOUND OF MUSIC Plus Launches UK Tour Of BARNUM

Next Christmas, Leicester will be alive with The Sound of Music as Curve will be producing a brand new version of the heart-warming, award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

Directed by Paul Kerryson, The Sound of Music will open on 3 December 2014, with previews from 28 November, and run until 17 January 2015.

Over the past five years Curve's Christmas shows have become a must-see, receiving widespread critical acclaim and bringing audiences in from across the UK, including the current production of Chicago (running at Curve until 18 Jan 2014), and Hello, Dolly!, The King and I and 42nd Street.

Since the Academy Award-winning film of 1965, The Sound of Music remains one of the most popular musicals of all time. Set in the idyllic landscape of the Alps, this heart-warming tale follows spirited young nun Maria and her relationship with the Von Trapp family.

With a timeless score including Do-Re-Mi, Favourite Things and Climb Ev'ry Mountain, this global phenomenon continues to enchant audiences across the world.

Curve will also be opening Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison's national tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre's smash hit production of the musical Barnum. Starring Brian Conley in the title role, Barnum opens at Curve on Friday 5 September until Saturday 13 September 2014.

This production of Barnum opened at Chichester Festival Theatre's Theatre in the Park in July last year and became one of the theatre's most successful musicals in its 51-year history, playing to nearly 70,000 people.

The musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America's Greatest Showman. The story of his life and his marriage to Chairy reveals a couple who looked at the world from opposite sides of the spectrum, and also reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum's dreams come true. The production follows the legendary showman's life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey's Circus - the Greatest Show on Earth.

Cy Coleman's wonderfully exuberant score includes the hits Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There's A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute.

Curve Artistic Director Paul Kerryson commented: "We are all very thrilled to announce two fantastic family musicals in Curve's autumn season. After the razzle dazzle of 1920s Chicago we will transport you from cell block to convent and to the snowy mountains of 1930s Austria for the perfect Christmas treat with The Sound of Music. This follows Curve's highly successful production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I which toured the UK in 2012. We're also delighted to welcome Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison's production of the spectacular musical, Barnum, which will open its highly anticipated national tour here in Leicester."

Tickets for both The Sound of Music and Barnum are now exclusively available to Curve members from Wednesday 8 January and on general sale from Saturday 11 January 2014.

Curve Membership costs from just £40 per year and includes priority booking, 15 per cent discount on tickets, 10 per cent off all food and drink purchased in Curve's Café and Bar and invitations to exclusive Curve events.